Feed-water apparatus for boilers



Dec. 17, 1946. w. JEFFoRDs 2,412,775

FEED WATER APPARATUS FOR BOILERS Dec. 17, 1946. l1 w. JEFFoRDs 2,412,775

Y FEED WATER APPARTUS FOR BOILERS Filed Nov. 6, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fy-Z lyblwwf Dec. 17, 1946. 1 W. JEFFORDS FEED WATER APPARATUS FOR BOILERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov, 6, 1944 MHH! Ih III lll I u. w/ a@ ffy- Patented Dec. 17, `1946 FFI'CE .2,412,775 FEED-WATER APPARATUS Fon Bomans Leuell W. Jeffords, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Roma JeHords, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 6, 1944,.Serial No. 562,211

s claims. (c1. 122-456) This invention relates to feed water apparal tus for boilers and is more particularly concerned with an apparatus which does notl require the use of a feed pump or injector for supplying feed water to a boiler.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feed water apparatus of this type which may be employed to supply feed water from either a supply of water under` pressure, such as the city water main, or from a water storage supply tank of the typev employed to receive condensate returning through the steam lines.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a feed water apparatusy which conserves steam in operation by utilizing same to preheat the feed water before it enters the boiler.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feed water apparatus of a vacuum-gravity type embodying automatic control means for supplying feed water to a boiler as required to maintain the water level in the boiler between predetermined levels.

Another object of thisA invention is to provide an automatic control system in which means are provided for discontinuing the flow of fuel to a boiler in the event the Water therein drops below a predetermined level.

Another object of this invention is to provide either a continuous or intermittent flow of feed water to a, boiler for maintaining the water within the boiler between predetermined levels.

A further object `of this invention is to provide a feed water apparatus which is. relatively inexpensive in construction, reliable in operation, and embodying a minimum number of moving parts to insure that the apparatus will not readily get out of order.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of construction, and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view showing an im proved feed water apparatus arranged for use in supplying feed water from a water supply line to a steam boiler. Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating the means employed for automatically' controlling the flow of water through the feed water apparatus to a b oiler.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View illustrating a modified form of this invention in which feed water is drawn from a condensate tank upwardly through the feed water apparatus for delivery Into the boiler by gravity.

. I 2 Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of this invention and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 therein, the feed water apparatus is shown as comprising a tank II hav- `ing a partition I2 provided therein to `define a primary chamber I3 and a transfer chamber' I4. The partition I2 is formed with a centrally disposed port openingv I6, of relatively smaller area than the conduit employed to supply water to the primary chamber I3, to permit feedwater to flow from the primary chamber to the transfer chamber under control of a valve Il actuated by a solenoid I8. Water is drawn into the 4primary chamber I3 through a supply pipe I9 and past a check valve 2 I. y

A pipe 22 leads from the bottom of the transfer chamber to a steam boiler 23. A check valve 24 is interposed in the pipe 22 to prevent a reverse flow of water from the boiler to the transfer chamber. A steam line 26 is connected between the boiler and the upper end of the transfer chamber, and the flow of steam therethrough is controlled by a valve 2'! which is opened and closed by means of a solenoid 23. A by-pass steam line 29 leads from the Pipe 25, between the valve 2l and transfer chamber, to the upper end of the primary chamber I3. A check valve 3I is interposed in the by-pass steam line 23 to prevent a reverse flow of fluid from the primary chamber I3 to the transfer chamber I4 when the valve 21 is closed.

In the operation of the apparatus thus described Vwater is drawn from the supply line I 9 into the primary chamber I3 by a vacuum produced within the transfer chamber I4 while the valve I'I is in open position, after which the valve I1 closes the port I6. In the event the water level in the boiler 23 is below a predetermined level as illustrated in Fig. 2, the solenoid I 8 is energized to open the valve Il to permit the water within the primary chamber I3 to pass through the port I6 into the transfer chamber I4. When the water level within the transfer chamber rises to a predetermined level, the solenoidIS is deenergized to permit movement of the valve Il to its closed position against the port I 6. The valve 27 in the steam line 26 is then opened by means of the solenoid 28 to permit steam to flow from the boiler 23 into theY primary chamber I3 and the transfer chamber I4. When the pressure within the transfer chamber I4 is equal to the pressure within the boiler 23, the feed water will pass by gravity froni` the transfer chamber I4 through the pipe 22 tothe boiler. The by-pass pipe 29 is provided `to equalize the pressures on port opening the electrode 44 being spectively,

opposite sides of the valve I1 ln order to maintain same against the port opening I6 when steam is introduced into the transfer chamber.

After the water leaves the transfer chamber I4, the steam supp-ly valve 21 is automatically closed and the valve I1 is opened to permit water to flow from the primary chamber I3 through the I6 into the transfer chamber. This new supply of water acts to condense the steam and thereby createa vacuum within the transfer chamber to draw feed into the primary chamber I3'.

The solenoids I8 and 28 are energized by means of an electrical circuit including suitable relays and electrodes of the type now commonly employed for automatically controlling the water level within boilers. The present circuit contemplates the use of three electrodes 36, 31 and 38 mounted within a suitable housing 39 disposed adjacent the normal water line of a boiler and having inlet pipes 4I and 42 leading from thev interior of the boiler to the interior of the housing 39. A pair of electrodes 43 and 44 are provided within the transfer chamber I4, the electrode 43 being disposed adjacent the bottom thereof and disposed approximately 1/3 of the distance between the bottom and the top of the transfer chamber.

One circuit is completed from the upper elecn f trode 44 through a lead 46 to a switch terminal 41 and thence through a relay 48 and a secondary transformer winding 49 to the ground. A holding circuit is provided for the relay 4'8 by a lead 5i which extends from the lower electrode 43 to a switch 52 thence through the relay 48 and transformer winding 49 to the ground.

Another circuit is completed from the electrode 38 through a lead 53 to a switch terminal 54 and thence through a relay 56 and secondary transformer winding 51 to the ground. A holding circuit is provided for the relay 56 by means of a lead 58 extending from the electrode 31 to a switch 59 and thence through the relay 56 and 4secondary transformer winding 31 to the ground.

A third circuit is completed by means of a lead 6I which extends from the electrode 36 to ya relay 62 and thence through a secondary transformer winding63 to the ground.

The windings 49, 51 and 63 form secondary y windings for transformers 64, 66, and 61, respectively. 'Ihe transformers 64, 66 and .Glare provided -with primary windings 68, 69 and 1I,=re

which are connected to-asource of current by means of leads 12 and 13 having a suit'- able operable switch 14 interposed therein. The transformers are carefully matched and secondarily connected to their respective relays in a manner well known in this art, and the electrodes 36, 31 and 38 are suitably positioned so that a predetermined rise and fall of the water level acts to make or break the electrical circuits controlling the relays.

The electrode 36 is employed to control the supply of fuel oil or gas delivered through conduit 16 to the boiler. When the electrode 36 isin contact with the water within the boiler the relay 62 is energized to close a switch 11 in a circuit 15 leading from a source of current to a solenoid 18. When the solenoid 18 is thus energized, it acts to open a valve 19.to permit the-fuel to now through thev conduit 16 to the boiler.- -In theevent the water level within the boiler falls below the lower end of the electrode 36, the circuit to the relay 62 is broken and permits the switch 11 to open water through the pipe I9 4 and break the circuit to the solenoid 18 which, in turn, acts to close the valve 19.

The water control solenoid I8 is connected to a source of current through leads 8| and 82. A pair of switches 83 and 84 are interposed in the circuit and are adapted to be opened and closed responsive to energization and de-energization of their respective relays 56 and 48. A manually operable switch 86 may be provided in the circuit 82 if desired.

, The solenoid 28 is connected to a suitable source of current through leads 81 and 88 having a switch 89 interposed therein for opening and closing the circuit responsive to de-energization and energization of the relay 48.

The apparatus thus described functions automatically to supply feed water to a boiler when the water level within the boiler falls below the lower end of the electrode 31 and thus breaks the holding circuit 58 through the relay 56. When the relay 56 is thus de-energized, the switch 83 closes the circuit 82 tothe solenoid I8 which acts to raise the valve I1 away from the port I6. Water contained within the primary chamber I3 passes through the port opening I6 into the transfer chamber I4 until the water level therein rises to complete a circuit through the upper electrode 44, lead 43, relay 48, and secondary winding 49. The relay 48 is thus energized and acts to close the switches 52 and 89 and to open the switch 84. The opening of the switch 84 breaks the circuit to the solenoid I8 and causes the valve I1 to move to its closed position in seated engagement against the port opening I8. The closing of the switch 52 completes a holding circuit to the relay 48 which will be energized until the water level within the transfer chamber falls below the lower electrode 43. The closing of the switch 89 acts to complete the circuit 88 to the solenoid 28 to energize same and thereby open the valve 21 in the steam line 26 which leads from the boiler to the transfer chamber and also to the primary chamber through the by-pass 29. When the pressure within the transfer chamber I4 is equal to the pressure within the boiler, the

Vwater within the transfer chamber will flow by broken by movement of the water level below the electrode 43, the relay 418 is deenergized 'and permits opening oftheswitches 52'and 89"an'd closing of the .switch 84;"'The de-energlzati'o'n ofthe relay` 48 thus completes the "cycle of operation'. The apparatus continues to operate automatically in the manner thus described until the water within the boiler rises into contactwith the upper electrode 38.

When the water level within the'boiler is in contact with the upper electrode 38 a circuit is completed through the lead 53, relay 56 and secondary winding 41 to energize the relay 56 which then acts to open the switch 83 and close the switch 59. Opening ofthe switch 83 breaks the circuit 'tothe solenoid I8 to render ysame inoperaf tive until the water level in the boiler falls below the electrode 31 which forms part of the holding circuit 58 for the relay 56. v

It will thus be seen that the water level within a boiler may be maintained between two p redeterminedlevels a-s determined by the positionV oi the electrodes 31 and 38. If for anyreasorr'th'e water level within the boiler fals below'the lower end vof thel electrode '36, the supply'pf fuel'tojrthe boiler will be cut off.

Fig. 3il1ustrates a modified form of this invention in which the feed water for the boiler is stored within a condensate tank IOI Feed water is supplied to the condensate tank throughv a condensate return line |02 and a, feed water line |03. The water level within the condensate tank is regulated by mean-s' of a pair of electrodes |04 and |06, the electrode I04being connected in a circuit I'I leading to a switch terminal |08, thence through a relay |09 and secondary winding III of a, transformer IIZ to the ground. The electrode |06 is connected in a, holding circuit I'I 3 leading through a switch II4, relay |09 and secondary winding III to the ground. The primary winding I I6 of the transformer is connected to a suitable source of current.

The supply of feed water through the pipe |03 is controlled by a valve III which is operated by means of a solenoid I|8 connected to a suitable source of current through a, circuit I I9. vA switch I 2| is interposed in the circuit II9 to make or break the circuit leading to the solenoid I I8 when actuated by the relay |09.

In the operation of this electric control means for regulating the water level within the condensate tank, a surface contact between the water and the eectrode I04 acts to energize the relay |69 to complete the holding circuit through the switch I I4 and to open the switch I2I in the icircuit leading to the solenoid I I8. De-energization of the solenoid II8 acts to close the valve I I'l and to stop the flow of make-up water leading through the pipe |03 to the condensate tank.

When the water level within the condensate tank falls below the end of the electrode |06, the holding circuit II3 to the relay I 00 is broken, thereby opening the switch |I4 and closing the switch I2I. The closing of the switch I2I causes the solenoid I I8 to o-pen the valve II'I to permit the make-up water to flow through the pipe |03 into the condensate tank.

In the operation of this modied form of the invention, it has been found that the vacuum created within the transfer chamber I4 by condensing of the steam therein serves to draw water upwardly through the pipe I9 and into the primary chamber I3. The distance the feed water may be drawn upwardly through the pipe I9 depends upon the tightness of the system, as any leakage of air thereinto will serve to offset the vacuum created within the transfer chamber I4. The apparatus disclosed in Fig. 3 is otherwise similar in operation and construction to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

While the two forms of apparatus shown and described are designed to provide an intermittent ow of feed water to a boiler, it is obvious to those skilled in this art that a pair o-f tanks |I could readily be connected and controlled for alternate operation to provide a continuous flow of feed water through a common supply pipe 22 to the boiler 23.

As is also well known in this art, it is desirable to provide relatively small quantities of make-up water to a boiler either in the form of a continuous flow or an intermittent iiow in order to prevent deterioration of parts of a boiler due to chilling and consequent alternate contraction and expansion.

It will be noted in the operation of this apparatus that the steam employed for transferring feed water to a boiler is not wasted as it serves to preheat the feed water prior to its transfer into the boiler.

It will further be noted that the only heat loss -qvalve means for controlling the in the operation of this apparatus wouldlbe dueto the radiation of heat from the tank II and the pipes 22, 26 and 29 and that this heat loss could be reduced to a negligible proportion by properly covering these parts with insulating material.

While this invention has been shown in but two forms, itis obvious to those skilled in the art that from the spirit tion.

I claim as my invention:

l. In aA liquid transfer transfer chamber having an outlet leading to the boiler, a primary chamber having a liquid inlet and disposed to supply liquid to said transfer chamber, a power actuated normally closed valve for controlling the passage of liquid from the primary chamber to the transfer chamber, electrical means having a connection to the boiler means operable for supplying steam to the transfer chamber to preheat the liquid therein and to tion of said valves, said means including a pair of electrodes disposed within the transfer chamber and electrically connected for alternately operating said valves.

2. In a boiler apparatus of the character described, a primary chamber having a liquid inlet, a transfer chamber having a liquid outlet leading to the boiler, said primary chamber having a passage leading therefrom to the transfer chamber, a power actuated normally closed valve opening said power actuated normally closed valve when the water within the boiler falls below a predetermined level, valve means operable for supplying steam to the transfer chamber, and electrical means for automatically controlling the alternate operation of said valves responsive to variations of the liquid level within said transfer chamber.

' 3. In a feed water apparatus for a boiler, a transfer chamber having a steam inlet and a Water outlet leading to the boiler, power actuated valve means for controlling the ow of steam to said transfer chamber, power actuated normally closed valve means for controlling the flow of water to said transfer chamber, electrical means having a connection to the boiler and responsive to the water level within the boiler for automaticallyV opening said power actuated normally closed valve when the water within the boiler falls below a predetermined level, and electrical means for controlling the alternate opening and closing of said valve means, said electrical means including circuits having electrodes disposed in spaced relation within said transfer chamber for controlling the operation of said valve means responsive to predetermined variations of the water level within the transfer chamlber.

4. In a feed water apparatus for a boiler, a transfer chamber having a steam inlet and a `water outlet leading to the boiler, power actuated flow of steam to said transfer chamber, power actuated normally closed valve means for controlling the flow of water to said transfer chamber, electrical means device for a boiler, a

7 having a connection to the boiler and responsive to the water level within the boiler for .automatically opening said power actuated normally closed valve when the water within the boiler level therein for controlling the operation of said other electrical means.

5. In a liquid feed device for a boiler, a primary chamber having a liquid inlet, a transfer chamber having a liquid outlet and a steam inlet leading to the boiler, said primary chamber having a passage leading to the transfer chamber, a power actuated normally closed liquid control valve interposed in said passage, electrical -means having a connection to the boiler and responsive to the water level within the boiler for automatically opening said power actuated normally closed valve when the water within the boiler falls below a predetermined level, a steam control valve interposed in said steam inlet, an upper electrode disposed within said transfer chamber, a lowerl electrode disposed within said transfer chamber, electrical means associated with said upper electrode for closing said liquid control valve and opening said steam control valve when the liquid within the transfer chamber rises into contact with the 'upper electrode, and means associated with said lowerelectrode for closing said steam control valve and opening said liquid control valve when the liquid level within the transfer chamber falls below said lower electrode.

6. In a liquid feed device for a boiler, a primary chamber having a liquid inlet, a transfer chamber having a liquid outlet and a steam inlet leading to thev boiler, said primary chamber having a passage leading to the actuated normally closed liquid control valve interposed in said passage, electrical means having a connection to the boiler and responsive to the water level within the boiler for automatically opeping said power actuated normally closed Valve when the water within the boiler falls below a predetermined level, a steam control valve'interposed in said steam inlet, an upper electrode disposed within said transfer chamber, electrical means associated with said upper elec-'- trode for'closing said liquid control valve and opening said steam control valve when the liquid within the transfer chamber rises into contact with the upper electrode, means associated with said lower electrode for closing said steam control valve and opening said liquid control valve when the liquid level within the transfer chamber falls below said lower electrode, said electrical means associated with said upper and lower electrodes within the transfer chamber being controlled by said first mentioned electricalmeans. l

l Y LEUELL W. JEFFORDS.

transfer chamber, a power 

